Reserve Forces Policy Board

U.S. Department of Defense

Sergeant Designated by the Secretary of Defense, Sergeant Major Michael J. Lewis assumed the position of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman and Board member at the Reserve Forces Policy Board on May 5, 2016. SGM Lewis serves as the subject matter expert for personnel, mobilization and readiness issues impacting personnel from all seven reserve components. In this capacity he works and interacts with the senior military and civilian leadership throughout the Department of Defense. SGM Lewis also acts as a liaison with senior NCO policy boards within the Joint Staff and Office of the Secretary of each of the uniformed services.

Prior to this assignment, Sergeant Major Lewis was the 6th State Command Sergeant Major for the Rhode Island National Guard. The Command Sergeant Major served as the principle Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Adjutant General which includes enforcing standards, developing policies on enlisted matters and making recommendations to improve the quality of life for Rhode Island’s National Guard airmen, soldiers and their families.

SGM Lewis was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, and graduated from Chariho High School in June 1982. He entered active duty upon graduation and completed One Station Unit Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia as an infantryman. Later was assigned to 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA

Upon completion of his initial enlistment, Sergeant Major Lewis joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard where he was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In Special Forces, SGM Lewis served as Junior Weapons Sergeant, Senior Weapons Sergeant, Operations / Intelligence Sergeant, Special Forces Team Sergeant and Company Sergeant Major. In August 2006, SGM Lewis was assigned as the first Command Sergeant Major of the newly formed Special Operations Detachment – Global.